Mar 28

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Canada Tightens Open Work Permits for Families of International Students and Workers

Starting January 21, 2025, Canada will significantly limit open work permits (OWPs) for family members of international students and temporary foreign workers. Key Changes for International Students’ Families Only spouses of students in specific programs will qualify for OWPs, including: Master’s programs lasting 16+ months Doctoral programs Select professional programs (e.g., Medicine, Law, Engineering) Previously, spouses of students in various programs, including shorter master’s degrees, were eligible. New Rules for... Read more →

Quebec Court Greenlights Explosive Class Action Against Abusive Work Permits

In a historic win for workers' rights, Quebec’s Superior Court has approved a lawsuit exposing Canada’s exploitative system of closed work permits. Temporary foreign workers, trapped under contracts with specific employers, are fighting back against conditions that trample on their most basic rights. Led by the Association for the Rights of Domestic and Agricultural Workers, the case alleges rampant violations of the Charter, including widespread abuse, underpayment, and harassment. This... Read more →

A limited program, widespread anger

By Carole Yerochewski In an interview with CBC and Reuters, Marc Miller announced some distressing news in the middle of summer, when it's hard to mobilize large numbers to protest: the Liberal government is backing down in the face of rising anti-immigrant rhetoric, and is expected to examine a minimal regularization program, which will only concern workers in the health and construction sectors. We'll have to wait for Marc Miller's... Read more →

Revision of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program: A Human Rights Priority

Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), essential for addressing labor shortages, has significant human rights shortcomings. A recent report by Le Devoir highlights the urgent need to reform this program to prioritize human rights. Working Conditions and Workers' Rights Temporary foreign workers (TFWs) often face poor working conditions, including excessive hours, low wages, and lack of healthcare access. Their precarious status makes them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, with a... Read more →